Frayed: A Small Town Sports Romance (Willow Springs Series Book 1)

by Laura Pavlov

  “That sounds good. And Coach Devo from TU will be there, right?” she asked, peeking in the family room to see if Gram was still asleep.

  “Yep. So, I need to be on. Should I wake her, or let her sleep?”

  “She wasn’t feeling well when I got off work, so I think we should let her sleep,” Ma said. Dark circles framed her eyes, and a sharp pain settled in my chest. The woman worked on her feet all day. I couldn’t wait for the day that I could take care of her. She’d sacrificed her entire life for me, and I’d never forget that.

  “Is it the breathing stuff again? If she’s not feeling better tomorrow, you stay home with her. You don’t need to drag her out in the cold air for the game.” I closed my eyes as the red sauce from the pasta flooded my senses. Ma was one hell of a cook. “Damn, this is good.”

  She chuckled. “You’re just a growing boy who likes to eat. And don’t you worry about Gram. If she’s under the weather, I’ll go to the game alone and have her stay home and rest.”

  I finished chewing. “I see Wren at all the games, and he’s always walking out right behind you. What’s his deal?”

  Wren Staub was the local bad boy in Willow Springs. At least that was the perception. No one messed with the dude and he had his hands in a lot of pots. I’d just found out that he owned the warehouse where my fights took place. Wasn’t shocked. The dude was everywhere. And he seemed to take a special interest in my mother, and I didn’t like it.

  “Nothing. I’ve known Wren since we were kids. He’s a friend and a regular at the diner.”

  My mom was the queen of secrets, or so I’d recently learned a few months ago when I overheard a conversation between her and her best friend, Shay. She rarely spoke of my father. She’d only said he’d left her to deal with me on her own, and she didn’t know him well. I’d imagined him a million times in my head and somehow sainted the asshole. I’d always thought maybe he was an undercover CIA agent who couldn’t put down roots because he was too busy saving the world. Or maybe he was a Navy SEAL, and he was off on a mission working for the government. But after overhearing the conversation that wasn’t meant for my ears, I knew why Ma had kept him a secret. And he was no longer a saint in my eyes, but a monster I hoped I’d never meet.

  A lot of people in town treated Ma like she was the shit beneath their shoes for getting knocked up as a teenager and raising me alone. It pissed me off. She wasn’t the first young girl to get pregnant, but she was the only one I’d ever known to step up to the plate and put her life on hold for her child. Knocked up at sixteen, dropped by all her friends, yet she somehow managed to finish high school while raising a baby. She’d worked at the diner in town for as long as I could remember. She’d given up her dream to go to college because she’d had a baby, and no one had a clue how much she’d gone through. That was some stand-up shit in my eyes. A lot of sacrifice for a young girl. And then to have people you’d known your whole life turn on you—it’s why I wanted to get the hell out of here.

  Since I’d become the quarterback at East Texas High, people definitely treated me and Ma better. But we both saw through it. I could count on one hand how many dates she’d been on since I was born. The woman was selfless. She was a fucking saint in my eyes. And the thought of Wren being the monster that probably haunted her nightmares did not sit well with me. He’d been oddly interested in me most of my life, and I’d always basked in that attention up until a few months ago. But suddenly that attention had me wondering if there was a reason that he had such an interest in Ma and me. Now I cringed at the thought that he could possibly be my father and the man I most despised in the world.

  “How often does he come around the diner?”

  “Not often, sweetheart. Good lord, you worry too much.” She chuckled. “So, big weekend, huh? You’ve got the game tomorrow, SATs on Saturday morning, and then the dance. Do you like Jessica, or are you going as friends?”

  I groaned. My least favorite topic. “I definitely do not like her as anything more than a friend, so don’t get all worked up.”

  “I hope that you aren’t avoiding having a girlfriend because you’ve never seen me, you know, in a happy relationship. It doesn’t mean you can’t have one.”

  I took a moment as I swallowed a bite of garlic bread. I needed a minute to process her words. Never dawned on me that she’d think it was because of anything she’d done. “Listen, Ma. If I had to choose anyone to look up to in my life, it would be you. I don’t date because I’ve just never liked anyone enough to want to, and the truth is, I can’t wait to get out of this shit town. There’s no one here for me in Willow Springs.”

  She shrugged. “Well, you never know. And you may end up missing this town once you leave.”

  “Nah. If I can get you and Gram out of here, I’d never look back. Shaw and Jax will be leaving for school too, and we all want to put this town behind us. I’m ready to play college ball where the coach doesn’t have to call the plays based on how much a player’s father donates to a program.”

  “That’s not Coach Stephens’ fault, Jett. That’s just the way life works.”

  “No, Ma. It’s the way Willow Springs works. This town is judgy as shit.”

  My mom had never talked about the fact that she’d been treated harshly for getting knocked up as a teenager when no one knew the circumstances. They’d just jumped to conclusions like they always did. And she’d refused to leave Gram back then, as she needed her to help with me, so she’d stayed.

  Stuck.

  I’d never be stuck.

  I was born for bigger things than Willow Springs.

  I made my way to AP calc and Mrs. Cunningham started clapping when I walked into the room. Sherman and Adelaide followed along with her, as did the other four nerds in the class. I shook my head and my gaze locked with Adelaide’s and her goofy smile made me laugh. She wore her cheer outfit because it was game day. It was a constant struggle not to stare at her tanned, toned legs beneath her short skirt. The girl was small with slight curves in just the right places. I shook it off. I was a normal teenage dude with raging hormones. I could appreciate a gorgeous girl—but she was Alec Taulson’s girl, and there’d never be a moment when I didn’t remember that.

  “Game day, Mr. Stone. Are you ready to continue an undefeated season?” Mrs. Cunningham said, sporting her East Text HS spirit shirt and jeans.

  “I’m ready,” I said, dropping in my chair behind Adelaide.

  “You ready to kick some butt tonight?” she asked, turning around to face me. Her dark hair was pulled back in a long ponytail on top of her head, with a bow that was ridiculously large.

  “Do you mean, kick some ass, Ace?” I chuckled.

  Sherman coughed beside me and whisper-shouted while Mrs. Cunningham turned to write on the board. “They mean the same thing, so why not use the more appropriate language? I’ll side with Addy on this one.”

  Shocker.

  Adelaide laughed.

  I rolled my eyes. Of course, he thought this was up for discussion. For whatever reason, Sherman had decided the three of us were newfound besties. And any time we disagreed on anything, he always followed it up with, “I’ll side with Addy.”

  Whatever, dude. I get it. You’re pining for a chick you’ll never have. I was all about dreaming big, and Sherman was definitely dreaming here.

  “Jett might actually be right on this one. It is football after all.” She smiled, and I opened my book and looked away. Getting lost in Adelaide Edington’s deep brown gaze was a waste of time. Sherman was on his own there.

  “You going to the game, Sherman?” I asked, because I knew the guy hung on every word we said to him, and well, I wasn’t a complete douchebag.

  “I am, Jett. I’ll be cheering for both of you.”

  My head tipped back in laughter. I couldn’t help it. Why the fuck would he be cheering for Adelaide? She was a cheerleader. Last
I checked, they did the cheering. Damn, the poor bastard had it bad.

  “Sounds good, dude.”

  “You’re both still taking your SATs tomorrow, right? So, we’ll all be here at eight a.m., I guess?” Adelaide asked.

  These two were so deep in my business they gave Ma and Gram a run for their money.

  The group texts had become a daily occurrence. I responded to every fifteen texts Sherman sent, and Adelaide responded a little more often than I did. He’d asked for our SAT schedules, and we were all three taking them tomorrow, as were ninety percent of our senior class.

  “I’ll be here, Addy. Don’t forget your pencils. And no cell phones.” Sherman pushed his glasses up his nose and it took everything I had in me not to laugh about the no cell phone rule. There was a text from him every morning when I woke up that was to both me and Adelaide. I was fairly certain he was just using me as a way to talk to her, but I didn’t know anymore because he was suddenly very interested in football and where I wanted to go to college. I had to remind myself that I was dealing with the valedictorian and the salutatorian of our class with these two. I knew this because of course Sherman filled me in. He had her edged out by just a hair, and I think he’d give it all up in a heartbeat because he was balls deep in love with the girl. She seemed absolutely fine with being second in line in our senior class, but that didn’t surprise me. She was nice to the core, so even if she wanted it, she’d never be a sore sport. She’d been that way since we were kids. It was the reason I knew she’d keep my fights a secret.

  “All right, let’s get this done. We’ve got a busy weekend and I don’t have time for homework. You going to the dance, Sherman?” I couldn’t fucking believe I was now making small talk with Sherman Saxe. These two had dragged me into their nerdy little world and I had to say—I didn’t hate it.

  “Yes, I’m going with Sadie Fareweather. We aren’t romantic. We’ll be attending as friends. I feel that being the valedictorian, Sorry, Addy,” he said, pulling his goddamned shoulders up to his ears in some sort of apology as his nasally words reached a higher pitch than normal.

  What are you sorry for, dude? Being smart as hell? They were both smart as hell. She smiled and waved him off as if it didn’t matter to her. Her cheeks pinked, but I got the feeling it had more to do with the fact that he kept calling her out about it, and less to do with her being second in our class. “Anyway, I think it’s important that I show how well-rounded I am.”

  I’d just taken a sip from my water bottle and I coughed, spewing water across my desk. This guy was as well-rounded as a sharp corner. “Sorry. That went down the wrong pipe. Yeah, definitely a good plan.”

  Adelaide shot me a look and covered her mouth with her hand.

  “I saw you both were nominated for homecoming court. Sadie and I were disappointed we weren’t selected, but I don’t think popularity is my strong suit.” He forced a smile and my chest fucking squeezed. What the actual fuck was happening to me? Sherman said he wasn’t popular. It was the truth. Why the fuck did I care? I wasn’t this dude’s babysitter. He was the fucking valedictorian. That trumps any bullshit popularity game any day of the week.

  Jessica and I had been selected for homecoming court which actually made me cringe. I didn’t even want to go to this stupid ass dance, and now I had to parade around and get announced at the game tonight. Not my thing. Jessica was really happy about it. Maybe a little too happy about it. She’d been texting me incessantly all week about her dress and making sure I matched. If there was a way out of going at this point, I’d be all about it.

  Of course, Adelaide and Alec were selected, as they were the golden poster children for East Texas High. Coco and Shaw were on the court which gave me endless joy, because he was as annoyed as I was. And seeing as he insisted on making me go to this damn dance, it served him right. And the final couple was Ty and Ivy. They’d been dating as long as Adelaide and Alec, so no one was surprised about it.

  “Who gives a shit what these people think about you, Sherman. You’re a brilliant fucking dude. I’d much rather be the valedictorian than be on the homecoming court.” I tipped my chin, and he got all flustered and knocked his water bottle off the desk. He and Adelaide bent down to pick it up at the same time, and he jumped up and slammed his head into his desk, causing his glasses to fall to the fucking floor.

  If I’d known a little compliment was going to cause the train to come off the tracks, I would have kept my damn mouth shut. Adelaide was down on the floor reaching for his glasses and she looked up at me, eyes watery, and face flushed. She shook her head as if she couldn’t contain herself another minute. Sherman started hysterically laughing and tears ran down Adelaide’s face as she lost it. Jesus. These two were ridiculous. And I fucking joined in. Because seeing Sherman Saxe fumble around was funny as shit.

  “Everything okay back there?” Mrs. Cunningham asked. “Calculus isn’t supposed to be this fun.”

  “Sorry, Mrs. C.” Adelaide and Sherman returned to their seats.

  “I don’t know what just happened. I guess I uh, what would you say, Jett? I lost my shits?”

  My head tipped back again in laughter. “No need to make it plural, buddy. Just shit.”

  “Well, thanks for saying that. I’ve worked hard for my grades. And to be honest, I was happy to see you both on the court. My two best friends.”

  What the…

  Adelaide’s plump lips turned up in the corners. “We’re an unlikely group, but here we are.”

  I shook my head. “You’re both too smart for your own good. Sherman, you text too much. Ace, you have shit taste in dudes. But you’re both all right.”

  She rolled her eyes, and Sherman smiled, his gaze bouncing between her and me.

  The bell rang and I high-fived Sherman and told Adelaide I’d see her on the field.

  It was game time.

  Time to focus.

  Chapter Five

  Adelaide

  Alec scored a touchdown and relief flooded me. He hadn’t had his best season this year, and his dad was all over him. He wasn’t going to play after high school, and I didn’t understand why Boone Taulson felt the need to ride him so hard.

  He’d been really stressed out lately and I was happy that he scored because hopefully it would help his mood. He was mad about Coco going to the dance with Shaw, because it meant the two groups would be taking photos together. Alec was not a fan of Jett, and he didn’t care for Shaw and Jax. I didn’t know why. We’d all grown up together.

  His disdain for Jett had only worsened this year, so I kept my newfound friendship with him and Sherman to myself. This morning he’d ranted about Jett driving a motorcycle and how stupid it was. He complained about how Jett didn’t throw him the ball enough and ripped my head off when I asked if Jett made that decision or if Coach Stephens did. I understood his frustration, as we were all feeling it with it being senior year when so much change was upon us. It scared me too. But Alec and I would be fine, just like we always were. It was our last year of dances, and seeing the same friends every day, and going to school with the same people. The thought made my stomach turn.

  The game was tied, and tensions were high. Karina and I were not seeing eye to eye on what cheers to call, and Coach Hansen told me to call the cheers for the rest of the game. Of course, that pissed Karina off, so she talked over me every time I spoke. I’d never understand what the girl’s problem was, but this rift between us had become exhausting. Between cheer practice, and National Charity League which my mother chose to sign me up for every possible volunteer position, and my class load—I was stretched as far as I could go. Catty fights with Karina were not high on my list.

  “Hey, I don’t want to keep doing this with you. You call the next one. I’m fine with it,” I said to her, as the football coach called a timeout. This was my olive branch.

  “Oh, really? So, you decide who calls the
cheers now? I know you think you’re the queen of Willow Springs and the boss of your boyfriend, but you do not call the shots on this team, Addy.”

  “What? This is me trying to meet you halfway. What is your problem?” I mean, the girl slept with my boyfriend. And she hates me? I was trying to move past it. I didn’t blame her for what happened, I’d blamed Alec. But it didn’t mean I liked her. She wasn’t nice, she talked smack about everyone, including her friends, and she was catty as hell. But I didn’t want to fight with her all year. We’d be heading into basketball season next, and we would have to cheer again together.

  “You’re my problem, you prima donna, spoiled bitch,” she hissed before flipping her hair over her shoulder and laughing.

  Wow. Tell me how you really feel.

  “Fine. Let’s go with East Texas for the score, next. Everyone line-up. On three,” I shouted loud enough that they could all hear me, and we took our positions for the next cheer. The only saving grace was that Karina and I were both flyers, so I didn’t have to worry about her intentionally dropping me. Because I wouldn’t put it past her.

  During halftime, my mom called me over before we ran out on the field to perform our cheer, and she handed me some lip gloss. “Here, Addy.”

  Clem ran up and I hugged her. “How did your race go?”

  “I won.” She beamed, and I pulled her in for another hug. “I’ll tell you all the details tonight.”

  “I’m so proud of you. Can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.” I’d seen Clem race a few times and she was amazing. She squeezed my hand.

  “You need a refresher,” my mother said, handing me her compact powder with the little mirror inside.

  “Oh my god, Mama. You’re so shallow. Her gigantic bow won’t allow anyone to see her face anyway,” Clem said to my mother and I bit my lip to keep from cackling.